It is said in the elder days of Celtic Lore there was a fairy who carried the light through the longest night of the year. When the last rays of light dissipates into Yule’s dusk, it is a fairy: a Shee who takes up the light and carries it until Dawn, seen flitting through the woods and meadow from dusk till dawn, just beyond reach. If one is full of despair and sees a flash of light bringing Hope, then it was one of the Shee: The Light Bearer. Never resting, always fleeting just beyond reach.

As with many of the old ways, the concept is made manifest through our own efforts. Lighting a candle that will last through out the night, or the lighting of the Yule Log for a fire to last until dawn: preserving the Light through the Dark Time of the year, thus we become Bearers of Light for each other, preserving the Truth, Honor and keeping a Home with Hospitality and Good Cheer.

In honor of this Noble Being, I have created a small statue of the Light Bearer. Wings in mid flight she holds a lantern before her thus projecting the Truth in her Path. This is a full, 3-Dimensional solid bronze sculpture (A heavy one!): 2 1/4″ by 7/8″ by 5/8″. Suspended from a bail between the wings intended to be hung as an ornament, harnessed as a ward against sadness, a bringer of Joy and Prosperity.

For centuries,Handfasting was practiced in Northern Europe
as a primary stage to marriage
still practiced into modern times.

“Handfasting” is derived from the verb
“to handfast”,
used for making a contract of marriage.
The couple is promised for “a year and a day”
as they hand-festa
(Norse:” to strike a bargain by joining hands”).
The rite varies between practitioners
but usually incorporates the participants
to bind their hands together with ribbon or chord;
a physical extension of promises made and kept.

Handfasting Bracelet

Using a design of two strands creating a combined knot
stronger than the sum of it’s parts.
The bracelets are to be put on during the ceremony
and worn for the “year and a day”;
then cherished as a keepsake when the marriage is preformed.

Many have chosen the bracelets for handfasting
and the rings for the marriage.
The Handfasting Rings
hold the same knot work design
for those people that find the bracelet too cumbersome.

Lovers Knot Ring

I have made another version of the Lovers Knot,
giving it a more “Celtic” feel:
weaving the knot work in to a more intricate design.

Celtic Lovers Knot Ring

If you are looking for a custom piece to be created for you,
I can design a knot work for your Wedding
or Handfasting that would be a “two of a kind” set.

In the mid Seventies I was given a book:Real Magic by Isaac Bonewits.
After reading so many other books on the subject
I found the book a breath of fresh air.
Instead of creating a mist of possible misconceptions about the subject,
Isaac developed a clear,
concise and easy to read volume that both introduced the concepts
and gave excellent definitions and ground rules as to what Magic really is
and how it works.
Over the years I had purchased more than a dozen of these books
and gave them as gifts,
loaned them to friends and relatives
each time in hope that a little light on the subject
may bring a better understanding
and thus appreciation of those that are studding the subject.

Years later I had approached Isaac Bonewits
to create something for him.
He found my work pleasurable
and even purchased the Green Man Necklace from me.
I marked that day with pride.
For a favorite author to have blessed me in that way was inspirational!

Small Awen Amulet

Some time later
I approached him with the idea to create his designs.
Isaac is well noted for his skill in graphic art
and has developed several designs featured in his site.
After a bit of time he finally agreed and we began
to work on what was to be the first of several Amulets by Isaac:
the Druid Sigil;
representing Druidism in general and the Earth mother (Gaia) in particular.
Following that he requested we make an Awen,
and the Dagda amulets: Dagda’s Shield
and Dagda’s Club.
During one of the elections he developed a Spells for Democracy amulet.
With each of these designs he worked feverishly
to produce the renderings and sent them to me for carving.
Isaac’s Amulets are a beautiful combination of design,
comfort and concept.

The Green Man in western culture it is found primarily in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Found from the ruins of ancient times carved in stone, there are many variations: a man’s face with branches and leaves.

In modern times one can find renderings of the Green Man as an architectural form: paintings, sculpture and amulets; considered as a manifestation of youth, re-birth and rejuvenation. In the modern lore of western traditions it has been adopted as the first stage in a man’s life. The succession follows: the Green Man: the Youth; the Hunter: the Father and the Sage: the Wise Old Man. By wearing the Green Man Amulet, one is acknowledging this early stage and supporting the youth in ones own life, the vitality of those around them.

Using oak leaves and acorns to adorn the face, I have placed an opal in the forehead: signifying vision and possibilities. For those who want more than the amulet I have a necklace version: the Green Man hung on a chain of leaves linked together.

The Awen is an ancient design used by the Druids of Olde.
This symbol has been recognized and harnessed by the Neo-Pagan movement
to symbolize the emanation of the Light,
brought into manifestation in the material world.
In his research Isaac Bonewits wrote about it’s use and lore:

In his words:

“The sign of “the Three Rays” is used by members of the United Ancient Order of Druids, the Ancient Order of Druids, the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, and many other followers of Druidry. It can be seen as symbolizing Sky Father Energy in balance with the Earth Mother energy of the Druid Sigil, as well as any of a thousand other sets of three ideas.”

Here a new version of the Awen.

In the original design,
the central “ray” of the Awen is exposed,
here in the new Winter version,
the Holly covers the stave and it appears below.
This additional feature reflects the idea
of how the light is obscured in the Winter only to re-emerge “un-looked for”;
the triumph of the Light.
The pine cones and the staves match the cones with pine wood.

The Small Winter Awen is three quarters of an inch;
the bail and jump ring is above the cluster of berries
for it to be hung by a chain or cord.
If you wish, I can enamel the berries for a more festive look.
To get your copy of this piece, please visit the Small Winter Awen Amulet page.

“The sign of “the Three Rays” is used by members of the United Ancient Order of Druids, the Ancient Order of Druids, the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, and many other followers of Druidry. It can be seen as symbolizing Sky Father Energy in balance with the Earth Mother energy of the Druid Sigil, as well as any of a thousand other sets of three ideas.”

This version of the Awen is a wreath of oak leaves,
three staves emanating down from three acorns.
The bail from which to hang the amulet:
an oak leaf curled to hold the chain or cord.
On the reverse side of the “signature”:
“Bonewits” and that of the artist:
“Merlin” or Kirk McLaren of Amulets by Merlin.

Through his travels Isaac offered these amulets
with his books and other items;
he even created a special portion of his website
to feature the jewelry.
You may purchase the Awen Amulet and his other designs through my site.
For each piece purchased
Isaac’s surviving Widow
receives a royalty to both help through some difficult times
and encourage efforts to promote good will
and clarity to the world.
To learn more about Isaac Bonewits,
his writings and more, you may visit his website.

The Awen
is an ancient design used by the Druids of Olde.
This symbol has been recognized and harnessed by the Neo-Pagan movement
to symbolize the emanation of the Light,
brought into manifestation in the material world.

In his research Isaac Bonewits wrote about it’s use and lore:

In his words:

“The sign of “the Three Rays”

is used by members of the United Ancient Order of Druids,

the Ancient Order of Druids,

the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids,

and many other followers of Druidry.

It can be seen as symbolizing Sky Father Energy

in balance with the Earth Mother energy of the Druid Sigil,

as well as any of a thousand other sets of three ideas.”

Since the creation of the Winter Awen Amulet,
I have received numerous requests to create a Winter Awen Ring.
The original amulet was similar to Isaac’s piece
in that is is in the shape of the Awen:
a wreath of leaves with three staves descending from the top
however like the Winter version,
the leaves are of Holly, the “dots” are pine cones.
I have also trailed down the sides of the ring with holly,
and a cluster of berries crown the top of the piece.

Winter Awen Ring

In the original design,
the central “ray” of the Awen is exposed,
here in the new Winter version,
the Holly covers the stave and it appears below.
This additional feature reflects
the idea of how the light is obscured
in the Winter
only to re-emerge “un-looked for”; the triumph of the Light.